April 18, 2008
Darwin, back againBoardBuzz is a fan of Charles Darwin—enough to lament having missed Darwin Day back in February. And now we bring you some exciting Darwin news.
The complete works of Charles Darwin are finally available to anyone, anywhere to read, i.e., they've made their way onto the internet. And it only took 126 years for that to evolve (groan)! This vast collection includes his notes from the five-year voyage of the HMS Beagle, where he collected fossil and specimen samples and first began to formulate his theory of evolution, the first draft of his Origin of Species from the 1840s, and even his wife Emma's recipe book.
Wired Science reports:
Cambridge University, where Darwin studied theology, has digitized and published on the internet its collection of some 30,000 items and 90,000 images by the man who changed the course of science by writing the evolutionary primer, The Origin of Species, in 1859.
The original draft of that seminal work, until now available only to scholars at the Cambridge University Library, is among those now online. There are even some audio samples, like the spoken-word version of the last sentence of Origin of the Species -- alas not in the voice of Darwin himself, who died in 1882.
"This release makes his private papers, mountains of notes, experiments, and research behind his world-changing publications available to the world for free," John van Wyhe, director of the project, said. "His publications have always been available in the public sphere -- but these papers have until now only been accessible to scholars."
BoardBuzz loves seeing history preserved for the ages. There is now plenty of "new" information for students and teachers to explore, but perhaps his original works will spark new debate over the theory of evolution. As Wired Science points out:
From the Scopes trial of 1925, to the 1987 Supreme Court ruling in Edwards v. Aguillard against teaching creationism in public schools, to the 2005 ouster of the Dover, Pennsylvania, school board which had sanctioned the teaching of “intelligent design,” to the “Teach the Controversy” mantra of creationists in intelligent-design clothing to the embrace by President Bush of i.d. education -- the conversation started by Darwin has shown no real sign of abating.
In January, Legal Clips reported that Florida was debating the place of evolution in science standards. Current Florida standards, approved in 1996, refer to "biological change over time," and contain a description of evolution, but no mention of the word itself. Debate in Florida echoes that in Texas, which is preparing a similar revision of its science-education standards.
BoardBuzz is happy to report that Florida's State Board of Education voted in February to use the term "scientific theory of evolution" in its new science standards, the first time the word "evolution" has been included. Yet anti-evolution sentiments do exist and have been addressed in reports such as "Science, Evolution, and Creationism," from the National Academy of Sciences, that argues that creationism does not belong in science class.
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March 16, 2007
Georgia approves bible courses statewideA tip of the hat to our friends over at NSBA's Legal Clips, who report that the Georgia Board of Education has voted unanimously to add two courses to its list of approved courses: Literature and History of the Old Testament Era, and Literature and History of the New Testament Era. The Associated Press covers the story here.
The move follows the state legislature's passage of a bill approving the two courses. The new law allows, but does not require, the state's 180 school districts to decide whether to offer the courses. Included in AP's report is a comment by Charles Haynes of the First Amendment Center who says the Georgia policy is the nation's first to endorse and fund bible classes on a statewide level. Supporters insist the courses will steer clear of religious teaching, pointing to the legislative language that provides the courses will be taught in "an objective and nondevotional manner with no attempt made to indoctrinate students." Critics counter that while the language may pass constitutional muster, that could change in the classroom if instructors stray.
According to Maggie Garrett, legislative counsel for the Georgia chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, the curriculum approved by the board, like the legislation itself, is vague. "They didn't put in any outlines describing what they can and can't do constitutionally," she says. "The same traps are there for teachers who decide to teach the class." She adds some teachers might seek to include their own beliefs or be pushed by students into conversations that include religious proselytizing.
More detail on the courses can be found at the Georgia Department of Education's Web site. Want to stay updated on all the school law news? Subscribe free to Legal Clips here.
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August 4, 2006
On a knee and a prayerThis in from yesterday's Legal Clips. In an unpublished decision that could attract national attention, a New Jersey federal district court has ruled that a high school football coach's bowing of his head and kneeling during player-initiated pre-game prayers does not constitute an Establishment Clause violation. The court also held that school district directives that prohibited the coach from engaging in those gestures violated his First and Fourteenth Amendment rights to free speech, free association, and academic freedom.
Here's the scoop. Marcus Borden has been head varsity football coach at East Brunswick High School (EBHS) for more than 23 years. The team had a tradition of the coach participating in a team prayer before the pre-game meal and again before the team took the field. When some parents of EBHS students complained about the prayers and threatened litigation, East Brunswick School District (EBSD) restated its school prayer policy. EBSD officials issued several directives warning Borden that his participation in student-initiated and led prayer, including standing and bowing his head during the pre-game meal prayer and kneeling during the prayer before the game, would be considered insubordination and could lead to his discharge.
Borden initially resigned as coach, but returned and agreed to abide by the policy while he brought a lawsuit in which he argued that merely bowing one's head and kneeling while the team prays does not amount to participation and, thus, does not violate the Establishment Clause. He also contended that prohibiting him from engaging in such gestures infringed on his rights to free speech, free association, and academic freedom.
EBSD countered that engaging in such conduct during student-initiated prayers sends a message of school endorsement of the religious message, in violation of the Establishment Clause. The district argued that coaches and other school staff are perfectly able to bond with students in non-religious ways and that the coach's actions would have a coercive effect on players who choose not to participate.
Read reactions from both sides in the Home News Tribune here. Read the full opinion here.
The dilemma for school boards is a familiar one on this kind of issue: So which side do you want to sue you first? Hey, if you lose to one side at least that should be a pretty good defense against getting sued from the other side. BoardBuzz seeks silver linings wherever we can.
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August 3, 2006
And the winner is ...Evolution. That was the decision in Tuesday's primary in which voters shifted the power in the Kansas State Board of Education to moderates who vowed to "work swiftly to restore a science curriculum that does not subject evolution to critical attack," according to an article in today's New York Times.
However, an article in the Kansas City Star predicts that the battle of intelligent design vs. evolution will continue between the board's four conservatives and six moderates.
Reports the Star: "This is a national debate," said John West, a vice president for the Center for Science and Culture at the Seattle-based, anti-evolution Discovery Institute. "Efforts to try to stop discussion are ultimately going to be doomed to fail because Americans don't like censorship. It used to be said that if you wanted to generate interest, you'd get your book banned in Boston."
But, Eugenie C. Scott, director of the National Center for Science Education, told the NYT that "I think more citizens are learning what intelligent design really is and realizing that they don't really want that taught in their public schools."
And BoardBuzz thought the weather was hot.
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August 1, 2006
Evolution ... er, politics ... makes for strange bedfellowsThere's a battle brewing in the Kansas State Board of Education primary over evolution, according to coverage in both the New York Times and the Washington Post. While the debate is old, what's new is that moderate Republicans and Democrats are joining together to fight the special interests trying to use public schools as pulpits. According to the NYT, it seems the radical right's hold on the issue, at least in Kansas, is falling apart. "Joseph Aistrup, head of political science at Kansas State University, [says] sharp ideological splits among Republicans and an unusual community of interest among moderate Republicans and some Democrats were helping challengers in the primary."
And, get this: Even if the moderate Republican candidates lose, they vow to "support the Democratic primary winners in November," reports the NYT. BoardBuzz is reminded of the Biblical reference about lambs laying down with lions. Nonetheless, we shall not look a gift horse in the mouth. BoardBuzz thinks it's about time the forces of enlightened reason in both parties joined together to fight for the right of students to learn science.
And, it couldn't come at a better time since the U.S. is competing globally with rising math and science powerhouses China and India. Stay tuned.
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April 5, 2006
Online discussions to tackle timely topicsReady to wade into some lively discussions about intelligent design, 21st century learning skills, free speech, and school climate? Then mark your calendars for the following dates and times to share your comments and questions on NSBA's online discussions live from the Annual Conference in Chicago.
Friday, April 7, 10 a.m. ET/11 a.m. CT
Intelligent Design: Curricular or Religious Issue?
Schools face increasing attempts to inject the biblical perspective on the origins of life into the classroom. Schools must understand the legal, social, educational, and political implications of the decisions they make on this hot button issue. Join this online discussion about the controversies schools are confronting and how they can handle this issue in an educationally sound and legally responsible manner. Guest expert will be Naomi Gittins, senior staff attorney, NSBA.
Saturday, April 8, 10:30 a.m. ET/11:30 a.m. CT
What You Need to Prepare Your Students for the 21st Century
Are your schools adequately preparing your students to enter the workforce with the kinds of skills needed to succeed? What will it take to get them ready? Guest expert Ken Kay, president of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, will discuss these questions as he shares results of a nationwide study of 21st century learning skills. Kay will also discuss how education leaders can create the right policies and programs to ensure their district is on track to provide 21st century learning opportunities.
Sunday, April 9, 12 noon ET/1 p.m. CT
Exploring the Free Speech Rights of Students and Teachers
What are the speech rights of students and teachers in school? Where is the line to be drawn in their expression of their personal beliefs and opinions? Recent news events such as the student walkout to protest immigration legislation, students being disciplined for off-campus speech, and a Colorado teacher lecture comparing Bush to Hitler have put this issue front and center in your schools. We'll discuss recent court rulings and take questions about how far students and teachers can go in expressing themselves and how far schools can go in restricting that expression. Tom Hutton, NSBA attorney, will be the guest expert.
Monday, April 10, 9 a.m. ET/10 a.m. CT
School Climate Inside Today's Urban Schools: Bullying, Safety, Trust, and More
Research shows that school climate is a major factor in the academic performance of students. A new study that surveyed nearly 32,000 students in 15 urban districts across the country takes a close look at how they perceive the rate of bullying, how safe they feel in school, whether they trust and respect their teachers, and much more. Join our guest expert to find out why you need to know about your school climate—no matter whether your district is urban, rural, or suburban—and key findings from the report that will help you better understand how students are feeling inside their urban schools. Brian Perkins, principal investigator of the CUBE Urban School Climate Report, will be the guest expert.
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March 1, 2006
What to do about Muslim holidaysThe Baltimore, Md. County school board asked its superintendent on Tuesday to monitor the attendance of Muslim students on days of religious observances, and to designate the dates of Muslim holiday observances on the school calendar, the Baltimore Sun reports today.
The issue is how much does school attendance have to drop on Muslim holidays to justify closures. A school board subcommittee recommends that the district note the holidays on the calendar and teach students about their significance, the Washington Times reports:
Muslims across the nation are pushing for public school closings on Islamic holy days, succeeding in Dearborn, Mich., and in four jurisdictions in New Jersey—a handful of districts that are the exceptions to the rule.
School officials in Hillsborough County, Fla., ran afoul of practically every religious sect in October when they canceled days off for three Jewish and Christian holidays rather than close for any Muslim holidays. Public outcry forced school board members to reverse their decision on the Jewish and Christian holidays, and the district remains open on Muslim holidays.
In Dearborn, home to a sizable Muslim community, one big issue is that state law requires that at least 75 percent of students be present for 1,098 hours of instruction for the district to qualify for full funding. On a recent school day coinciding with a Muslim holiday, attendance was 41 percent.
The issues are complicated, reports the Detroit Free Press: "But scheduling the holiday is tricky. The exact date the festival begins each year is based on the appearance of the new moon over Mecca and usually isn't known until close to the actual date."
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January 6, 2006
Intelligent design sent packing in DoverPennsylvania's Dover Area School District is no longer the sole public school district in the United States to require mention of intelligent design in biology classes after a new school board voted unanimously Tuesday night to rescind the policy, reports the York, Pa. Dispatch.
The move came in response to a federal judge's ruling in a lawsuit brought by 11 parents who said the policy was based on religion, not science. The judge agreed and ordered the district to repeal the policy, which was put into effect by former school board members in 2004.All but one of those school board members—Heather Geesey—have since resigned or been voted off the board.
That paper even has a permanent link on its website front page to its archives of its thorough Intelligent Design coverage.
More legal analysis from the York Daily Record here. The importance of understanding this issue for school boards goes way beyond the annoying and juvenile culture war rhetoric surrounding it. Of that, we have had way too much, from those on all sides here.
To help school board members explore the complexities of this issue, NSBA has scheduled new sessions on intelligent design at its upcoming Annual Conference in Chicago. On Monday, April 10, attorneys from several state school boards associations will be discussing the practical implications of the judge's decision. And at the Council of School Attorneys meeting prior to the Annual Conference, participants will hear a debate between the litigator in the Dover case and the head of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State. It's time to register for the nation's largest gathering of public officials, if you haven't done so yet.
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December 20, 2005
One lesson from Intelligent Design's big loss in PennsylvaniaA federal judge ruled Tuesday that the Dover, Pa. school board violated the Constitution when it ordered that its biology curriculum must include the notion that life on Earth was produced by an unidentified intelligent cause. AP report here. "We find that the secular purposes claimed by the Board amount to a pretext for the Board's real purpose, which was to promote religion in the public school classroom," he wrote in his 139-page opinion. The controversy divided the community and galvanized voters to oust eight incumbent school board members who supported the policy in the November 8 school board election, AP reports.
One thing seems clear: Those on ALL sides politically love to use public schools as their convenient culture war battleground. But kids don't have time for this. Especially these days. Save the politicizing of the classroom for another era, long after this country's academic challenges have all been solved. Sound good?
And while we are at it, how about a fast read of the new book by Joe Williams, Cheating Our Kids: How Politics and Greed Ruin Education. Here is an interview with Williams in USA Today. (Hat tip: Eduwonk.)
NSBA praised today's decision in its press statement below.
The National School Boards Association praised today's decision handed down by a federal court that ruled a school board cannot require the teaching of intelligent design in science classes. The court stated that the policy, passed by the Dover, Pa., School Board, violates the Establishment Clause, which ensures the separation of church and state.
"We applaud the decision because in his well-reasoned opinion, the judge expertly applied sound Supreme Court precedent that declares unconstitutional the teaching of intelligent design as an alternative to evolution in a public school science classroom," said Anne L. Bryant, NSBA executive director. "We especially agree with the judge's statement that intelligent design is creationism masquerading' as science."
The court recognized that public schools are the battlegrounds for culture wars and lamented the drive of special interest groups in seeking a test case that "resulted in an imprudent and ultimately unconstitutional policy."
"NSBA wholeheartedly endorses the court's opinion that students, parents, and teachers deserve better than to be dragged into a 'legal maelstrom, with its resulting utter waste of monetary and personal resources,'" said Francisco Negrón, NSBA general counsel. The court also recognized that the case arose as a result of "ill-informed" activism aided by national special interests.
Posted at 5:33 PM | Link to this story | Comments (1)
June 28, 2005
Thou Shalt Not Be Confused: More on Ten Commandments rulingsAs BoardBuzz promised yesterday, we have more today on the Supreme Court's decisions in the McCreary County and Van Orden Ten Commandments cases. McCreary County was the Kentucky courthouses one, Van Orden was the Texas state capitol one. Here's the press release, with resources, from NSBA's press office. Here's Linda Greenhouse's New York Times coverage, and here's an article about the K-12 implications by Education Week's Caroline Hendrie. Here we offer up more observations specifically for the public school world.
First, the Court most definitely did not accept NSBA's plaintive invitation to provide a new and clearer test for resolving such religious controversies. The Court did not retire the Lemon test, as NSBA had urged. If anything, the fractured rulings in these cases make a muddy ground even muddier.
The Justices did seem painfully aware of the toll that these disputes are taking on the nation's social fabric, and several went out of their way to explain their understanding of the meaning of religious liberty under the Constitution. But Justice David Souter, writing the majority opinion in McCreary, seemed to signal that the Court will not provide a convenient, bright-line rule, because this would just invite people to game around it. Indeed, the Court decided that the facts in McCreary revealed an attempt to get around Court holdings in order to promote the religious message of the Ten Commandments.
Justice Stephen Breyer, in his separate concurring opinion in the Van Orden case, went even further. He questioned whether any formulaic test—Lemon or any other—can resolve these questions consistently in such fact-intensive cases. Instead, he said these cases come down to the "exercise of legal judgment" about the purposes of the Religion Clauses—whatever that means for school boards trying to figure out constitutionally acceptable ways to preserve and build public confidence.
Second, it is noteworthy that Chief Justice Rehnquist and Justices Antonin Scalia, Anthony Kennedy, and Clarence Thomas in their opinion upholding the Texas monument, as well as Justice Breyer in his own opinion, specifically noted that a key factor was that the state capitol was not a school setting. Memo to schools: The Ten Commandments do have tremendous historical, cultural, and religious significance, but be very careful about what you do to reflect this fact, because it will be closely scrutinized. Academic motives yes, other motives (probably) no.
Third, the fact that the Court is not about to become clearer is yet more evidence that the culture warriors on all sides could do America's children a giant favor by trying to work toward compromise on things like this. Setting up and waging costly legal battles will never resolve clashes of religious sensibilities. We joked about this on April Fool's Day. But as one school lawyer who read that piece noted, it's a tragic statement that what we wrote there was merely the stuff of satire.
Sadly for our schools, the political and financial payoffs of exploiting religious differences and fears are just too tempting. This kind of sloppy (or deliberately sensational) headline doesn't help. School boards can expect to keep getting caught in the crossfire.
There is, of course, a critical function of public education at stake in all this. It's one the voucher crowd would like Americans to forget. As the Supreme Court itself has pointed out, the "public school is at once the symbol of our democracy and our most pervasive means of realizing our common destiny." Public schools hate to be ground zero in these battles. But unless public schools can help our country learn to discuss these issues respectfully and accept differences, the prospects for our democracy and our common destiny won't be as bright.
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